Sharjah24 - AFP: Over 30 Ukrainians were injured overnight by Russian attacks, authorities reported Friday, one day after Kyiv and Washington inked a historic minerals agreement.
Ukraine seeks security pledges amid ongoing conflict
Ukraine hopes a recent minerals deal with the U.S. will lead to security guarantees as it continues to fight against a Russian invasion that has lasted over three years.
Attack on Zaporizhzhia
In a nocturnal attack on the industrial city of Zaporizhzhia, 29 people were wounded, including a 13-year-old boy, according to regional governor Ivan Fedorov. The assault targeted civilian infrastructure, damaging residential buildings, a university, and other facilities.
Drone strikes in Dnipropetrovsk
Additionally, two men were injured in a Russian drone strike in the Dnipropetrovsk region, which caused fires at two locations, as reported by Governor Sergiy Lysak.
Damage to railway infrastructure
Ukraine's national railway company reported that its locomotive repair plant in Zaporizhzhia suffered a significant attack overnight, resulting in a fire that lasted for hours, although no injuries were reported.
Russian air defense claims
Russia's defense ministry claimed it destroyed 121 Ukrainian drones overnight, primarily over Crimea, the region it annexed in 2014.
Call for increased pressure on Russia
Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky emphasised that the minerals deal offered mutual benefits, despite lacking concrete security guarantees for Kyiv. He urged allies to increase pressure on Russia to encourage negotiation and silence hostilities.